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Struggling with social interactions

Lyndsay

Hello I'm Lyndsay and am 15 years old. For years now, I've struggled with being social with people who are my age. I've always found that is easier to interact with adults, just because they are so much more mature in the way they behave and think and so am I. It's hard to find people my age who understand the reasons why I behave like I do, and why I don't understand things that they understand. Luckily I found a girl in my class who does understand and she is my closest friend, but according to my physcologist I need to be more social with people my age. I'm sure that other autistic people have the same problems, and would love to hear other opinions and resolutions on the subject. Thanks.

  • Thank you, I'm surprisingly looking forward to sixth form just because there is a chance to meet new people! 

  • Hi Lyndsay. I know what you mean, I'm 18 and was diagnosed with Aspergers last year. Up until year 11/12, I only ever had one friend who I would ever invite to my house or even interact with outside of school. Now, I have 7 friends, all of whom I got to know through either sitting next to them in lessons or through my best friend.

    Don't bother trying to form a social group just to fit in with the 'normal typical teen' appearence. Those types of people are tiring, immature, annoying, and love to stab people in the back only to demand/expect forgiveness the second you seem interesting/useful again. Just value and enjoy your time with your friend, as they're the one you'll value and keep in contact with for years to come. Just simply be yourself, and then the people worth pursuing friendship with will more or less show up and present themselves to you.

    When you hit college/6th form, most kids actually do mature (shocking, I know, I've seen them sniffing glue o.O) and become easier to interact with. SO. More of less, sit back, relax, and just keep doing what you're doing. :)

    Good luck.

  • Thank you very much for your advice, it helps a lot Smile 

  • hi there lyndsay, your psychologist knows you have autism? if so then saying 'you should be more social' is not a helpful thing to say and neither is expecting you to be somethng you are not

    yes lots of autistic people have problems making , and keeping, friends, due to some of the less 'socially acceptable' parts of autism 

    if you have one good friend, that is enough, please dont let anyone tel you you need 'lots of friends' to feel happy you dont, you just need a really good friend, who accepts you and understands you and you seem to have that Smile